Marlene Bartels, of Cornelius, took her five-year-old grandson Daniel for a day of fun. Bartels said it was her first time at the event, and she was impressed.

"The community is definitely coming together to do this," she said. Daniel said his favorite part of the event was eating cotton candy for the first time.

At the Intel tent, Veronica Grave showed children how vinegar and baking soda react in a water bottle to propel a car forward. She said the booth was doing well and that kids were enjoying the activity.

When a few small children helped pour the baking soda, the toy car spun in a circle, spraying liquid, instead of shooting forward.

But in the circle of children watching, even the shyest ones cracked a few smiles.